Ningerum - Kinship

Kin Groups and Descent.
Each person is born into the named patrilineal clan (
kawatom
) of his or her father. Clans are associated with identifiable
territories and one or more men's cult ritual sites situated in
the bush away from the view of women and children. There are more than
200 local clans, and only the smallest clans are exogamous. Several clan
segments may share myths about their origin from a single (Usually
unnamed) ancestor. As corporate groups, local clan segments include many
nonagnates—mainly wives and a variety of coresident kinsmen from
other clans. Coresidence is far more important in defining rights and
membership in the corporate group than formal clan membership according
to birth.